Atlantic League Suspends Offerman Indefinitely

Just when you think you have reached a point in covering sports, when you think nothing can shock you anymore something happens that repudiates that feeling. Such is the case with Jose Offerman who was suspended indefinitely by the Independent Minor League, the Atlantic League for assaulting the opposing pitcher and catcher with his bat after being hit by a pitch earlier this week. Offerman who was playing for the Long Island Ducks led off the game Tuesday night against Bridgeport hitting the first pitch of the contest over the left field fence with a home run. Offerman was up the next inning, and was hit by Bridgeport pitcher Matt Beech in the calf. The normally mild mannered Offerman charged the mound with bat in hand and started swing at Beech eventually hitting him in the hand and breaking his finger. Bridgeport catcher John Nathans running to the mound to come to his pitcher's defense got hit in the head, ending up with a concussion that could end his season. Beech, Bridgeport manager Tommy John, and Offerman were all ejected from the game. Offerman was then arrested by Bridgeport police, and charged with two counts of second degree assault, he is free on $10,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in Bridgeport Superior Court on August 23. Beech says that Offerman was swinging at his head, and definitely feels he was assaulted. Offerman who last played in the Majors in 2005 was hitting .325 for the Ducks, and was hoping to use this as a springboard to get back to playing in the Bigs. Offerman made the All-Star team twice in 1995 with the Dodgers, and in 1999 with Boston.